Tag Archives: performance

As fans celebrated the kickoff of the 2013-14 football season this past Sunday, they had another reason for excitement: The NFL announced that Bruno Mars would perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLVIII, which will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, February 2, 2014.

It’s a coup for the singer/songwriter who will be performing at one of the most highly anticipated and most-watched musical events of the year. According to the NFL, more than 110.5 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year’s show, where Beyonce wowed audiences with hits like “Single Ladies” and “Halo,” as well as a special reunion with Destiny’s Child in a rousing rendition of “Crazy in Love.” Like Beyonce, Bruno Mars is such a showman, we have no doubt we’ll be equally wowed.

The cast of a special Asian Pacific American production of 'The Vagina Monologues—performed on May 17th in San Francisco—acknowledged a few individuals at curtain call, including family members, NAPAWF Bay Area, and others who made the production possible. (photo credits: Karen Datangel)

On the topic of sexuality, voices are silenced. Speaking out about sexual desires is considered improper for women and much more alarmingly, speaking out against violence towards women—as survivors of it or as supporters of survivors—is difficult, for the pain and suffering is all too much to relive the ordeals. However, through theater, these stories of women exploring their sexuality and surviving sexual assault, war, and domestic violence can be told boldly and with absolutely nothing held back. Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues goes deep into the varied experiences of the female organ, and performers and activists from the Asian Pacific American community went all out in their recent opportunity to honor the strength and courage of women everywhere, even in the face of adversity.

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) and V-Day San Francisco co-presented a landmark production of The Vagina Monologues on May 17th at San Francisco’s historic Castro Theater. Under the direction of Gabrielle Patacsil, the all-Asian Pacific American cast of women from different walks of life came together to perform in this very special presentation, the first by the only national, multi-issue Asian and Pacific Islander women’s organization in the country. Proceeds benefited the Bay Area chapter of NAPAWF and V-Day.

For many of the APA women performers, including Connie Chung, who works at the Asian Women’s Shelter in San Francisco, participating in the production was a valuable chance to address taboo issues amongst the community.

“In media and arts and entertainment, Asian-Americans have such a small presence because of the different barriers that don’t allow them to take front stage,” said Chung. “To have a discussion about sexuality and empowerment is so important, so to bring those two together is such a rare opportunity.”

Audrey Magazine is an award-winning national publication that covers the Asian experience from the perspective of Asian American women. Audrey covers the latest talent and trends in entertainment, fashion, beauty and lifestyle.